. >> reporter: white house officials say vice president biden is now playing a direct role in the talks. the two parties remain at odds over the automatic, across the board cuts to government programs. there's divide on taxes. the white house wants to raise tax rates on people making more than $250,000 a year and republicans want to keep the estate tax from going up. >> if we're not able to reach an agreement, it will be dire. >> reporter: if there's no deal today, the average american family will start the year with a $3400 tax hike. paula and john? >> tahman bradley reporting live from washington this morning. thanks, tahman. happy new year to you. >> reporter: same to you. >>> the president called the shooting at newtown was the worst day of his presidency. and pledged to put his full weight behind legislation aimed at preventing gun violence. he said he was skeptical of the nra's proposal to put armed guards in every school. >>> a bus crash on an oregon highway has killed nine people and injured others. the tour bus lost control on interstate 84 yesterday morning. it happens in a tr